US Weather Latest
From the thoroughly excellent Martell Crop Projections:
Midwest corn harvest is late: US corn harvesting was 79% complete November 28 and advanced only 11% in the week. The trade expected faster harvesting since Midwest weather was generally dry. The slowest harvesting continues in the Northern Midwest and Illinois. Freeze damage may be a culprit in reducing yields and slowing crop drying. Corn test weights are reportedly low, 50-54 pounds per bushel , compared with 56 pounds normally, indicating smaller lightweight kernels.
Cold, damp weather settling in: A much colder weather pattern is developing, compared with exceptional November warmth. The jet stream will dig a trough in southern United States this weekend, funneling cold polar air into Central United States driving temperatures 10-15 F below average in the next 2-3 days. At the same time, a storm track will develop from Texas to Ohio producing dismal damp weather with soaking rainfall. The swath of .5-1 inch rains would affect SE Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio the next 3 days. Lighter rain is a risk in northern Illinois, SE Wisconsin and Michigan. This is not a welcome forecast for facilitating crop drying and harvesting.
Wheat going dormant: Very cold temperatures in the Great Plains will drive wheat into dormancy. The Texas panhandle will have snow flurries tonight and Thursday and overnight lows in the in the 20s F. Once clearing occurs temperatures may drop into the teens F. Wheat development has advanced nicely with warm November weather in the bread basket states. Kansas growers struggled to get wheat planted due to frequent rain delays this fall that created wet field conditions. If there is a problem with slow development it would be in the nation's biggest wheat state, where planting was still not finished December 1. Typically yields are reduced when the fall growth period is cut short.
Midwest corn harvest is late: US corn harvesting was 79% complete November 28 and advanced only 11% in the week. The trade expected faster harvesting since Midwest weather was generally dry. The slowest harvesting continues in the Northern Midwest and Illinois. Freeze damage may be a culprit in reducing yields and slowing crop drying. Corn test weights are reportedly low, 50-54 pounds per bushel , compared with 56 pounds normally, indicating smaller lightweight kernels.
Cold, damp weather settling in: A much colder weather pattern is developing, compared with exceptional November warmth. The jet stream will dig a trough in southern United States this weekend, funneling cold polar air into Central United States driving temperatures 10-15 F below average in the next 2-3 days. At the same time, a storm track will develop from Texas to Ohio producing dismal damp weather with soaking rainfall. The swath of .5-1 inch rains would affect SE Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio the next 3 days. Lighter rain is a risk in northern Illinois, SE Wisconsin and Michigan. This is not a welcome forecast for facilitating crop drying and harvesting.
Wheat going dormant: Very cold temperatures in the Great Plains will drive wheat into dormancy. The Texas panhandle will have snow flurries tonight and Thursday and overnight lows in the in the 20s F. Once clearing occurs temperatures may drop into the teens F. Wheat development has advanced nicely with warm November weather in the bread basket states. Kansas growers struggled to get wheat planted due to frequent rain delays this fall that created wet field conditions. If there is a problem with slow development it would be in the nation's biggest wheat state, where planting was still not finished December 1. Typically yields are reduced when the fall growth period is cut short.
